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Monthly Archives: August 2014

“I believe that each of us was created in the image of a mighty God who wants us to reflect Him, and that there is a trap set before us by the enemy of our souls that keeps us from being who God designed us to be. We need to know about that trap, and we need to understand ourselves and the battle within us if we are to be set free of the emotional struggle over our identity.” ~ Catrina Welch in Confident Beauty: Reflecting the One Who Made You with Images in Your Mirror and in Your Soul

CATRINA: A very slow dawning. For years I prayed for the opportunity to write. Then, when I felt that it was time, I fought with God about it, feeling inadequate. Four years and many title, genre, and layout ideas later, it was complete. Then the process of editing and finding a publisher began–and that took another two years.

CLARICE: What is an Img.ID? Tell my readers how your clients react when they discover theirs?

CATRINA: There are six general clothing personalities. Every woman has an individual style which includes her physical stature and features; this makes up her clothing personality. If her personal preferences differ from her physical presence (for instance: a strong, sturdy stature with a gentle personality) then she may have a secondary personality. These two, along with her coloring, and any special traits or preferences make up who she is, or what I call her personal Image Identity (or Img.ID for fun).

When a woman learns her style she discovers more than What2Wear. She understands her heart better, and the trap of comparison is released as she grabs hold of her Img.ID motto and how to accentuate her beauty in a way that represents her true self. It’s not just about how we look or how we feel about our looks; it’s also about finding the freedom to express the power and purpose of our individual beauty for God’s glory, not our own.

CLARICE: What is your ImageID?

CATRINA: Mine is a Dramatic/Natural. I am an “exotic/casual beauty” My physical traits do well with fashion, accessories, and makeup, but I would far rather be casual and comfortable. Balancing these two was not an easy challenge, but my “Beauty Battle” is why I have a passion to help others find balance.

CLARICE: Since I’ve seen you in action with your family, women’s ministries, profession, and church, I want to know when you find the time to write?

CATRINA: Well, now that my kids are fairly self-sufficient, I am committed to a bi-weekly blog which I treat it like a job. I am also challenged to find the time to work on the next book just as I was with the others-especially Confident Beauty. I schedule writing time into my week, even if it’s only 2 or 3 hours, and if it get’s knocked off the priority list (which happened a lot when the kids were young!), I do my best to get back to it the next week.

CLARICE: Ever since I’ve known you, you’ve had a heart for girls and women of all ages. How do you show your love for them in practical ways? How has this been reflected in ministry?

CATRINA: Girls love to look beautiful, and I love to teach them the tricks of the trade and show them the connection between fashion and faith. Women tend to either stuff their desire for beauty or they are sometime (often secretly) hung up on it, so I love to show them the Supreme MakeOvers in the Bible where God heals the heart that hides or strives (this is what Confident Beauty and my devotional study are about). It is so refreshing and rewarding to witness wounded women being set free from all the twisted-Truths that keep them from being who they were designed to be.

CLARICE: Can you tell us what are you currently working on and/or projects you have planned?

CATRINA: I am currently working on a Wardrobe Rehab book to help business women brand their image better.

CLARICE: If you could tell your audience only one thing, what would it be?

CATRINA: BE and LET BE. Your beauty has a power and purpose and it is not the same as your mother’s or girlfriend’s. Some women love fashion, some feel it’s foolish. They are all right. BE who you were designed to be; LET them BE who they were designed to be. Too many of us judge each other or feel inadequate or intimidated around each other and we should be more accepting of ourselves and each other.

CLARICE: What is the biggest lie women believe about themselves?

CATRINA: That their beauty is for themselves. Beauty has a power to draw others to it with a purpose of bringing comfort, healing, refreshment, and encouragement. We should not be trying to prove ourselves or seek other’s approval. The One who created us approves of His creation; that needs to be enough for our confidence to be strong. That is true beauty.

CLARICE: What’s been the toughest time in your life? How did you get through it?

CATRINA: I have faced many: having my first husband betray me while I was pregnant with our son; my first daughter dying; and having my oldest child turn to drugs and go missing for 10 weeks. Life has been hard but God has been good to me through it all. He is a true comforter, and through each trial He has sustained me and enriched my character.

CLARICE: What is an average day in the life of Catrina Welch look like?

CATRINA: Which day? Three days a week I work for my husband’s company keeping his books, the other days I focus on my image business, blogging, promoting Confident Beauty, seeking speaking engagements, networking, and keeping up the website.

I like to say that I’m usually “sitting around eating bon bons” but in reality I only slow down on Sundays. God’s gift of Sabbath rest and worship keeps me strong. Life is too short; there’s a lot to be done if we want to make a difference in our world, and the more I am out there, the more I realize how desperately the world needs our message of hope.

I know you are working hard, too, and I appreciate your efforts. Thank you for giving me this platform to perhaps reach a few more women who want to BE and LET BE. No woman should be held captive in her cocoon of twisted-Truths. It’s time we all break free and soar with Confident Beauty, which doesn’t wear off like makeup does!

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. ~ Php 2:3-4 (NIV)

MORE ABOUT CATRINA: In addition to being an author and speaker, Catrina is a licensed cosmetologist and certified image consultant. She is also a Biblical Life Coach, certified by the American Association of Christian Counselors. Catrina is married to an amazing man of God, Ron, who owns his own contracting business and serves diligently in their church. They have been blessed with four beautiful children: Andrew (22), Billy (17), Rebecca (who lived only 3 weeks), and Victoria (13).To learn more about Catrina Welch, visit her website at www.catrinawelch.com.